LEADING OFF

A look at what’s happening all around the majors today:

PARTY TIME? The Cubs can clinch the NL Central for a second straight year with a win against St. Louis or a loss by Milwaukee. Jake Arrieta (14-9, 3.43 ERA) goes for Chicago, making his second start since missing nearly three weeks with a hamstring injury. The Cardinals counter with righty Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.63), who gave up seven runs to the Cubs in a start against them Sept. 15.

WAITING ON YOU: Perhaps slugger Bryce Harper will feel well enough to return to the Nationals’ lineup in Philadelphia. Any plans the NL East champions had of Harper coming back from his knee injury Monday night were dashed due to flulike symptoms. Washington manager Dusty Baker said Sunday the team was still trying to decide whether to reinstate Harper from the disabled list Monday, but he spent much of the day receiving treatment. The 2015 NL MVP has been sidelined with a bone bruise in his hyperextended left knee since slipping on a wet base Aug. 12.

BOSTON BANGED UP: The Red Sox are hoping for good news on a pair of injured hitters — Mookie Betts and Eduardo Nunez. Betts exited Monday’s game with pain in his left wrist a few innings after going over 100 RBIs for the second straight season. Nunez, meanwhile, aggravated a right knee injury. Chris Sale (17-7, 2.75 ERA) tries to push the Red Sox closer to an AL East title when he takes the mound against Toronto.